America's Favorite and Fastest-Growing Chain, Most Unique Restaurant Menu, People's Choice Award and More Take Center Stage as AI and Consumer Insights Reshape Industry
CHICAGO, June 12, 2025 -- Datassential, the leading food and beverage intelligence platform, today announced the winners of the Datassential 500 Awards, a first-of-its-kind recognition program spotlighting the most dynamic brands shaping the future of foodservice.
The Datassential 500 blends proprietary data, predictive analytics, and real consumer sentiment to spotlight not only America's largest and most beloved brands, but also the emerging innovators making waves across the chain restaurant landscape.
This program comes on the heels of the company's most recent launch of Datassential One, which enables consolidated access to the industry's most accurate AI-driven food & beverage insights and intelligence platform. Since launching Datassential One, the company has already added Social Listening data and a new Generative AI search feature in its vast food and beverage insights and intelligence library, the latest in a long legacy of AI innovation.
"The foodservice landscape is evolving faster than ever, and we're proud to recognize the brands rising to meet that moment," said Jim Emling, CEO of Datassential. "From flavor innovation to operational excellence, the Datassential 500 showcases the brands that are leading with creativity, consistency, and connection to their customers."
Here are the 2025 Datassential 500 Award Winners:
America's Favorite Chain: Chick-fil-A
The chain has the strongest consumer ratings across all major metrics, from food quality to value and experience.
America's Fastest Growing Chain: Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken & WIngs
The chain saw the most significant unit percentage growth in 2024.
America's Most Craved Chain: In-N-Out
The chain that earns top marks for craveable, consistently great-tasting food.
America's Most Unique Restaurant Menu: Crumbl
The chain rated by consumers as having the most original and innovative menu offerings.
The People's Choice Award: Portillo's
The chain with the highest number of devoted customers who consistently choose this brand out of loyalty and dedication, not just for convenience.
America's Best Restaurant Experience: Texas Roadhouse
The chain that earns top ratings for great service, ambiance, and guest experience.
America's Value Leader: Little Caesars
The chain that earns top ratings or affordability and value-for-money perception.
America's Restaurant Innovation Leader: Outback
The chain with the strongest-performing limited-time offers and menu releases across metrics like purchase intent, uniqueness, draw and value.
America's Best To-Go Chain: Wingstop
The chain that excels in off-premise experience, from order to doorstep.
America's Best Burger Chain: Shake Shack
The burger brand with the strongest growth, alongside strong consumer ratings for taste and satisfaction.
America's Best Chicken Chain: Raising Cane's
The chicken brand with the strongest growth, alongside stellar consumer ratings for taste and satisfaction.
America's Best Coffee Chain: Dutch Bros
The coffee brand with the strongest growth, alongside high consumer ratings for taste and satisfaction.
America's Best in Beverage: HTeaO
The beverage-focused concept with the strongest growth and most unique, exciting drinks.
America's Best Healthy Chain: CAVA
The chain that ranks high when consumers crave healthy, better-for-you, or plant-forward dining.
America's Global Flavor Favorite: KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
The chain that ranks high when consumers crave international or globally-focused cuisines.
These awards reflect the full spectrum of modern foodservice leadership, from bold culinary expression to value and hospitality.
Backed by over two decades of food and beverage intelligence, Datassential has been the trusted source for trend forecasting, menu analysis, sales intelligence, and innovation insights across the industry. From helping global QSR giants shape future strategy to identifying the next breakout concept, Datassential's rankings and data sets are deeply embedded in decision-making across thousands of brands. The Datassential 500 represents the next evolution and a definitive snapshot of today's foodservice landscape, powered by AI and human storytelling.
Winners were determined using a combination of Datassential's core proprietary tools, chain performance data, and expert and AI-supported analytics.
"This elite, exclusive group of brands truly exemplify what restaurants do best: inspiring, engaging and delighting customers," said Dana Konwiser, President and Chief Operating Officer of Datassential. "These brands set the standard for excellence and innovation, giving us a glimpse into the future of food — one that's powered by insightful data, driven by genuine consumer connections, and increasingly shaped by the dynamic influence of AI."
About Datassential
Datassential is the food and beverage industry's trusted insights and intelligence partner, helping brands make smarter decisions since 2001. With the launch of Datassential One, the company unified its most powerful tools - from menu trends and consumer insights to sales intelligence and social listening - into a single platform. Over 90% of the biggest names in foodservice, including Starbucks, General Mills, Land O' Lakes, Pepsi, Burger King, and Target, rely on Datassential to stay ahead of what's next.
This News is brought to you by Qube Mark, your trusted source for the latest updates and insights in marketing technology. Stay tuned for more groundbreaking innovations in the world of technology.
